Gilbert Gutknecht: “I am going to talk about prescription drugs. And for those of us who believe that Americans ought to have access to…”

“I am going to talk about prescription drugs. And for those of us who believe that Americans ought to have access to world-class drugs at world-market prices, last week was a very good week. In fact, let me just review some of the things that have happened just since May 4. On May 4, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said, ``I think it is coming,'' referring to the legislation to legalize the importation of prescription drugs. On May 5, the CEO of CVS Pharmacies, one of the largest in America, Tom Ryan, said, and I quote, ``Millions of Americans have already opted to import drugs because they cannot afford not to. To do otherwise,'' referring to the importation legislation, ``would be to ignore the millions of Americans who, as we speak, are forced to go outside our existing system, which is intended to ensure drug safety, in order to preserve their pocketbook.'' That is what Tom Ryan said, who as I say, is president and CEO of CVS Pharmacies.”